CITY council leaders are taking a stand against the abuse of disabled parking spaces in a new campaign. Senior traffic warden John McIver and Sunderland senior assistant director of environment Andy Morris have launched the Blue Badge Action Group campaign
Mobile boiler houses are set to banish heating crises in Durham County Council buildings. Two travelling boiler houses will provide heat while permanent plants are replaced or during emergency breakdowns. The Abbey Day Centre in Pity Me is first to benefit
A COMPANY from the North-East has won sole distribution rights for a compression stocking said to reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis on long haul flights. Peacocks Medical, of Newcastle, will sell the Mediven Travel products in the city and in Middlesbrough
A North-East "audio artist" is hoping to prove that silence really is golden. Jonty Semper, 25, made a recording of the one-minute's silence in Hyde Park during the 1997 funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales - and has now put it on a vinyl disc. The silence
ICE Hockey Superleague secretary Brian Storey has vowed the league will not give in over a continued wages dispute at the Newcastle Jesters. The side's first league game of the season is scheduled for Sunday, September 2, with a pre-season friendly arranged
THE NEW man at the helm of an anti-crime agency has received a shot-in-the-arm in his new role just days into the job. Chief Inspector Tim Wilson received the keys to a new Vauxhall Astra, yesterday, on behalf of the Durham Agency Against Crime. The diesel
KENYAN Julius Kimtai has decided against making a bid for a hat-trick of victories in the Auckland Castle 10K a week tomorrow - to concentrate on preparations for his marathon debut in New York in November. The African, who won the Blaydon Race for a
TWO men who assaulted the same victim within minutes of each other were jailed for nine months yesterday after a court heard how neither could be definitely blamed for breaking the man's jaw. Shaun Dryden told Teesside Crown Court that Craig Lloyd had
REPUBLIC of Ireland striker Niall Quinn, relishing a battle for his first-team place at Sunderland, revealed last night that Peter Reid's men will not be afraid to shout about their European ambitions. Last season there was a self-imposed ban on the E-word
BTHE Home Office has awarded a £33,000 grant to steer bored youngsters away from crime in Weardale. The money is awarded for schemes that divert young people from vandalism and other petty crimes during the long summer holidays. Although the funding has
BOBBY ROBSON has told his Newcastle United critics that he won't be pensioned-off at the end of the season. Some on Tyneside feel that the former England manager, who enters his 70th year next February, has only one season left in him. But Robson, operating
A YOUTH organisation is planning to buy an outdoor education centre to provide youngsters with a challenging break. The Darlington Outdoor Pursuits Club, part of the Darlington and District Youth and Community Association (DDYCA), wants to open a centre
A NERVE centre that will watch over a city's security night and day will be opened officially next week. The Alarm and Emergency Service of Sunderland City Council has just completed a £180,000 reorganisation to handle almost every aspect of security,
THE NEW man at the helm of an anti-crime agency has received a shot-in-the-arm in his new role just days into the job. Chief Inspector Tim Wilson received the keys to a new Vauxhall Astra, yesterday, on behalf of the Durham Agency Against Crime. The diesel
TOGETHER like the proverbial London buses, the column for the third successive week has been helping mark a 125th anniversary: first Chilton Moor, then Wolviston, now the Anglican church of St James the Great, in Darlington. Whatever the other reasons
FIREFIGHTERS who saved a community building from ruin - and then helped raise funds to rebuild it - have been honoured. The ten-man crew of part-time firefighters in Helmsley, North Yorkshire, were given a letter of appreciation by chief officer Eric
THE wife of a man who suffered burns in a holiday accident spoke of her relief to be back home yesterday. Bernard Earnshaw received 45 per cent third-degree burns when a can of barbecue lighter fluid exploded in his hand while he was in the Algarve. He
A RESIDENTIAL estate is being turned into a film set this weekend by a group of artistic youngsters. As part of a summer play-scheme, youngsters from Firthmoor, in Darlington, have been learning about video editing, costume making, animation and music
ALONG with hardy spring flowering bulbs like tulips and daffodils, bulbs of amaryllis or hippeastrum are now appearing in shops and garden centres. With regal flowers of enormous proportions, they are amongst the easiest late autumn and winter flowering
ENGLAND striker Kevin Phillips beat Ipswich Town's new £5m goalkeeper Matteo Sereni from the penalty spot to clinch the points for Sunderland. Town central defender Titus Bramble needlessly pulled back Republic of Ireland winger Kevin Kilbane in the 37th
Uncertainty surrounds the future of the Cammell Laird shipyard on Teesside and Tyneside after the company was sold. The company has been in receivership since April, but now A&P, based in Southampton, has bought the yards at Tyneside and Merseyside
THE two men signed by Durham chiefly as replacements for Melvyn Betts and John Wood performed heroics with the bat yesterday. While century-maker Danny Law's talent is obvious, the same could not be said of James Brinkley. But he played a full part with
THE former manager of a North-East pizza shop has written to The Northern Echo from the Swiss prison cell where he is being held on suspicion of a murder he says he did not commit. Since his extradition to Switzerland in February, Majid El Hamri has tried
DETECTIVES are hunting a "scruffy-looking" conman who fleeced a deaf pensioner out of £60. The man walked into the 81-year-old man's house after removing the pensioner's lawn mower from his garage as part of an elaborate trick. After entering through
CADEAUX CHER'S bid to repeat his 1998 success in the Great St Wilfred Handicap at Ripon this afternoon received a terrific boost yesterday with the news that he had been drawn 16 of 24. High numbers appear to hold the call at Ripon these days on the straight
THE secrets of Wear Valley's most impressive gardens will be revealed during the Bank Holiday, when they open their gates for charity. People can wander around the 73 acre estate at Whitworth Hall Country Park, near Spennymoor on Sunday, August 26, between
A FATHER of two who survived a heart attack has spoken out after his bypass operation was delayed. Eddie Taylor, 49, fears that unless he has surgery, the next attack could be fatal. He suffers severe chest pains every day and can hardly walk more than
THE polluted legacy of the Yorkshire Dales' mining past is being tackled through a strategy drawn up after months of effort. The once-thriving mining industry led to more than 1,000 mineral workings, mines and quarries in the Richmondshire area alone.
Panzer Front. Publisher: JVC. Format: PlayStation CD-ROM. Price: £29.99. IT'S a testament to the longevity of the original PlayStation that innovative software is still hitting the shelves long after the machine should have been consigned to the attic
WATER rates in the North-East can now be changed outside of a five-yearly price review, in exceptional circumstances. Northumbrian Water has agreed to a condition to be inserted into its licence, following a proposal from regulator Ofwat. The new rules
THE Vikings are helping a city to buck the downward trend in tourism caused by the foot-and-mouth crisis. York is defying the downturn in tourism nationally with more visitors than last year. And one of the reasons is the popularity of the city's Jorvik
DIABETES sufferers in the Northallerton area have been given a boost by a cash donation to a local club. Northallerton and District Diabetic Club has received a £2,600 grant from the Lloyds TSB Foundation. The money will go towards the cost of setting
For six months now we have been denied the right to enjoy our hills, dales, woods and countryside as foot-and mouth precautions have kept the countryside closed. A slight inconvenience you may think. I have to say that you would be mistaken. Walking is
WHEN Terry Notary starts sniffing the microphone and making monkey noises you begin to wonder if working on the new Planet Of The Apes movie hasn't left him permanently scarred. He assumes the facial and body posture of the primates he studied in preparation
CHRIS Turner takes his Hartlepool United side to Shrewsbury Town today determined to inflict misery on one of his old foes. Former Everton skipper Kevin Ratcliffe is now in charge of the Shrews and the two came up against one another on numerous occasions
A FIERCE prehistoric swamp monster will confront young time-travellers exploring life from nearly 300 million years ago. Eryops, affectionately known as Swampy, was a 1.5m long flesh-eating amphibian which lurked in the depths of Weardale, County Durham
SHOPS in Darlington are complying with the law by advertising the rules about selling tobacco to young people. Although the number of Trading Standards inspections of newsagents and other shops selling tobacco products has increased since last year, the
GRADUATES are rising to the challenge to go east as part of a new scheme to take English to remote communities. Sunderland University has launched the initiative to meet the growing demand for English teachers from universities and schools around the
PRIME Minister Tony Blair last night described as "a harsh blow" news that hundreds of North-East jobs are to go with the closure of two Sanyo factories in the region. Weeks of talks have taken place to finalise a management buy out the Sanyo microwave
A POLICE officer is urging South Tyneside businesses to help transform a disused area into a skateboarding park. The site, which is next to Queen's Road Day Centre, in Jarrow, already boasts a new basketball court and football goals. PC Julian Mason,
A MURDER inquiry was launched last night after the body of a woman in her 20s was found at her parents' home. The woman, who has not been named, was discovered at the house in Winchester Way, Darlington, at 10.30am yesterday. A 30-year-old man - believed
TWO blocks of cannabis resin were found in the trousers of a motorist on an industrial estate after a prostitute told police he was carrying drugs in his car, a court heard. When detectives followed up their discovery with a search of Ronald Henderson's
A TEENAGE girl was still fighting for her life last night 24 hours after a serious car accident. The 14-year-old, who has not been named at the request of her family, was taken to Newcastle General Hospital on Thursday night after the crash on a major
TWO teenagers have been praised for saving the life of a pregnant woman. Sam Bennet and Zoe Duncan rescued the woman, who has not been named, after she waded into the sea, off Redcar, east Clevland, on Thursday night. The 16-year-olds had been walking
MORE than 100 jobs could be transferred to the region when leading kitchen firm Magnet moves its head office services to Darlington. Magnet is to close its base in Keighley, West Yorkshire, as part of a national efficiency drive. The closure will result
The Norwegian Army was in Britain yesterday to bestow a military honour on one of the members of its ranks. However, the setting was a little unusual - Edinburgh Zoo - and the Regimental Sergeant Major in question was a penguin. King penguin Nils Olav
A TEENAGE boy has been charged with manslaughter after another youngster was shot with an air gun. Matthew Sheffield, 14, from Eaglescliffe, died following an incident in the town in April. Two juveniles were initially arrested and, following a police
MILITARY vehicles ranging from bicycles to heavy armour will invade a museum during the bank holiday weekend. The North-East Military Vehicle Club's 28th annual rally will take place at the Durham Light Infantry Museum and Durham Art Gallery and will
POLICE called to a top-floor flat were confronted on the stairs by a Frenchman waving a 3ft long samurai sword, a court heard yesterday. Karen Smoult-Hawtree, prosecuting, told Harrogate magistrates that Julien Guillaume Mercier was "going berserk
A WORK of art that has not been on public view for almost 20 years is to go back on display after being restored by experts. The landscape with grazing cattle and sheep was painted by Thomas Sydney Cooper in 1856, and is one of two of his works owned
MIDDLESBROUGH chairman Steve Gibson has warned that Steve McClaren's Riverside revolution will be a bloody one if his players fail to adhere to the new manager's footballing doctrine. The innovative McClaren, who raised a few eyebrows with the appointment
STEVE McCLAREN launches his managerial career against Arsenal today with the admission that he admires the methods of Arsene Wenger as much as those of mentor Sir Alex Ferguson. Middlesbrough manager McClaren learned the ropes under the shrewd tutelage
Kimblesworth aren't getting too carried away at the top of the league as they edge closer to the title. Kimblesworth are currently 58 points clear at the top of the table, and need just three wins from the last six matches to become champions for the
MORE than 60 jobs have been created in County Durham in the past two months, thanks to £265,000 of Government grants. The latest money to develop fledgling businesses came from the Department of Trade and Industry. A total of almost £2m has now been granted
A TWO-year old girl was thrown from her pushchair in an alleged hit- and-run incident on Teesside yesterday. A grey Ford Escort veered off the road in Stockton, and struck four people - 32-year-old Kendra Walker and her daughters Charlotte, four, and
AN animal lover has spoken of her horror and anger after her cat was shot dead at point-blank range with an airgun. Vanessa Leadley's pet cat, Tails, died in agony after being shot through the abdomen in an incident which horrified animal welfare workers
A FATHER was quizzed by Government inspectors for failing to carry out safety procedures which indirectly led to his son being injured, a court heard yesterday.). Colin Dawson, of Stanley, in County Durham, sustained severe head injuries after falling
TWO men who assaulted the same victim within minutes of each other were jailed for nine months yesterday after a court heard how neither could be definitely blamed for breaking the man's jaw. Shaun Dryden told Teesside Crown Court that Craig Lloyd had
NEW boys Washington Nissan are aiming for a top-six finish in their debut season in the Albany Northern League, writes RAY SIMPSON. After lifting the Wearside League title last year, Nissan are one of the favourites to go straight through the division
PHOTOGRAPHS of children in pit clothes playing cricket, 1880s miners in tartan and the local Second World War "dads army" are just a few of the images of life in a County Durham village shown for the first time in a new booklet. The second series of pictures
THE region's biggest fire brigade is to build stations under a £26m private finance scheme. The Government has given approval for the Tyne and Wear service to seek a company to build the facilities, which it will lease back. The scheme will save the brigade
YOUNGSTERS are being offered the chance to sample the matchday experience at Darlington Football Club. The club is repeating the scheme, which is open to boys and girls aged five to 14, after it proved successful last season. The experience includes one
AN animal lover is needed to come to the aid of faithful guide dog Harvest. Harvest has been by the side of Northallerton resident Sheila Dent for the past six years, but is now retiring from guide dog work because of ill health. Because she can no longer
REFUGEES FIRSAT Yildaz became the first refugee murdered in Britain. He was only 22 and had fled the racist persecution of Kurdish people in Turkey. Ultimately, Firsat's murder in Glasgow (Echo, Aug 8) is the responsibility of the thugs who carried it
Darlington recorded their first win of the season against Kidderminster Harriers at Feethams on Saturday - albeit controversially. Quakers will be largely thankful for a hotly disputed second half penalty which turned the game in their favour ultimately
ANTI-RACIST protestors plan to ignore police advice and turn up in numbers to stop the National Front, as tensions run high before a planned demonstration today. But police have reiterated their warning to members of the NF and to counter demonstrators
THE home of Darlington's voluntary organisations is to be extended. Darlington Council for Voluntary Services (CVS) has secured a £427,000 Government grant to convert its base in Church Row to provide full access for the disabled. The money will be used
A DRUG addict was told how her exceptional personal circumstances had saved her from jail yesterday after she admitted a burglary she could barely recall. Judge Leslie Spittle told mother-of-two Sarah Playfor, 25, it was rare for house burglars to receive
MORE than 100 jobs could come to Darlington when kitchen firm Magnet relocates its main office services to the town. The closure of its head office in Keighley, West Yorkshire, means up to 140 employees could be on the move to the North-East. A spokeswoman
Middlesbrough crashed to a 4-0 home defeat to Arsenal to give new coach Steve McClaren the worst possible start. Thierry Henry gave the Londoners the lead just before the break but they had Ray Parlour sent off on 55 minutes - the first Premiership red
A SUMMER drink-drive campaign mounted by three North-East police forces at the beginning of the month has resulted in the testing of more than 5,000 motorists in two weeks. The month-long campaign was launched on August 1 by the Northumbria, Durham and
A SOLICITOR has been appointed to manage a North-East charity hit by a £300,000 fraud scandal. Police are investigating Newcastle's Dream Foundation, which helps children with life-threatening conditions fulfil their wishes. The charity's founders, Northumbria
SHOPPERS visiting the Gateshead MetroCentre over the bank holiday weekend will be able to step back in time with the relaunch of one of its most popular shopping areas. The Village, which has been redeveloped, recreates the ambience of a traditional English
ADVENTUROUS youngsters enjoyed a day of exploration and activities when a Ranger Roadshow came to town. Hamsterley Forest, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham, was the setting for woodland escapades designed by the Forestry Commission to help youngsters
DARLINGTON looked a picture yesterday for the arrival of the Britain in Bloom contest judges. And the months of hard work by private companies, the council and, of course, residents may well blossom into a national award. "I have been very impressed,"
A CHARITY cycle ride from Paris to Teesside was brought to a halt after thieves stole all the bikes. Four men from Teesside Training Enterprise were cycling the 600-mile route in aid of Stockton's Butterwick Hospice. The fundraisers, and their back-up
FARMERS face more misery as a new disease, which threatens to do more harm to the industry than foot-and-mouth, is poised to sweep the North-East and North Yorkshire. Experts claim that more than 70 per cent of pig farms could be affected by the disease
A MAN who breached the conditions of a sex offender order has been given a 12-month conditional discharge by magistrates. Mark Adrian Fisher, 37, of Elm Drive, Sedgefield, County Durham, appeared before Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court yesterday charged
HUNDREDS of junior soldiers graduated from the first phase of their training yesterday - in one of the largest parades of its type. Almost 650 students from the Army Foundation College, in Harrogate, put their best foot forward to mark the completion
Channel 4 have announced a new lunchtime programme, hopefully from January 2002, which will feature live racing daily. This programme will feature showcase handicaps which were introduced in March 1998 as betting friendly races. This new Channel 4 programme
DARLINGTON begin their home programme this season with a double-header, hosting Kidderminster Harriers this afternoon and Sheffield United in the Worthington Cup on Monday evening. Nearly a year ago Kidderminster inflicted Darlington's first home defeat
AS far as punters are concerned, Reel Buddy (2.30) hasn't exactly lived up to his name lately, but the tide may well be about to turn in the £35,000 Group 3 Hungerford Stakes at Newbury today. Having enjoyed a successful spring campaign, Richard Hannon's
THERE appear to be two different Britains when it comes to economic news. The first is thriving. Yesterday, the monthly high street sales figures were released. They showed that the nation is still liberally spending money as if it doesn't have a care
A RECOVERING heroin addict was jailed for 12 months yesterday after admitting burgling his uncle's home. Peter Butterfield, 30, was with a friend when they used a garden spade to force open a window and door to get in the house, Teesside Crown Court heard
A HEALTH clinic is offering alternative remedies for medical conditions affecting thousands of people. Cleveland Natural Health Clinic, in Redcar, says that alternative therapies can help arthritis, back pain, allergies, food intolerances, irritable bowel
YOUNGSTERS returning to school after the holidays will notice a series of changes, thanks to a major improvement programme. More than £80,000 has been spent upgrading Thirsk Primary School during the summer break, to provide a better learning environment
